Mentally Handicapped Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now make a statement as to which area or areas of Wales he is to designate as vanguard areas for the purposes of projects relating to the integration of mentally handicapped and mentally ill people into the community.

My right hon. Friend expects to announce soon decisions on the implementation of the Government's strategy to develop community based services for mentally handicapped people in Wales, including the choice of vanguard areas.

The Government have no intention at present similarly to designate vanguard areas for the development of services for people who are mentally ill, but we are determined to ensure that there are significant developments in these services.